The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1887-02-02

occupying different position from that
of the rest OF his fellow clerks.
The chief man ir Turin. 30 far as
Hodgs0n, Dunfofd & Parr were con-
cerned, was certain Count Marsoni.
The count 8 nobility did not prevent his
being the principle member of large
firm of ofmerchants and shipuwners. To
reason Of Mr.. Hodgson's journey to
Turin; and, as the old banker knew very
well how to lay aside his cr1lsty and
pompous manner when it suited his book
to do 50, he soon came to be not unfre-
quent guest at the Villa Marsoni.
Mr.. Holgson began to see that there
was very fair opening for an English
hank at Turin, and he was still engaged
In pushing his way here nnd there, when
he receiyed news that his wife was Sc
riously III. This made him hurry off to
England. leaving AIathers behind him to
complete d transaction which he had al
ready practically arranged.
Delighted at being left to represent the
firm, for ever SO short time, and ever
SO formal u matter, Mathews was pacing
one day down the principal street of the
city, v itll, a hook of considerable import
ance on his face when he met Count Mar
soni. The count stopped and asked after
the old banker, when Tommy proudly
informed him that he had returned to
England, leaving him in charge of the
affairs of the firm,
'.Ah. indeedi Well, there's little
matter wanted to speak of to him.
II shall be happy to serve you, count, "
said Tommy in his very best Italian.
'.Well, suppose you dine with us to-
night, and wc can talk it over after din
ner, returned the count, who thought
he ought to show little attention TO the
lonely Englishman.
OF course the invitation was accepted,
and Tommy had no sooner entered the
drawing room at the Villa Marsoni than
he lost his heart at once, irrevocably and
forever. Maria Marsoni was, indeed,
beautiful and vivacious enough to have
turned the head of a wiser and colder
blooded man than Tommy Mathers; and
80 ready was he to amuse her by his
efforts to speak language that ho par
tally knew that he won more favor in
the maiden's eyes than many n more
brilliant talller would have DONE. Such
an impression, indeed, did the signorina's
bright eyes make upon TomIny's suscep-
tible heart that he was barely able to give
due attention to the count, whom, after
dinner. he began to talk of bills, discount,
mortgages and debenturcs.
Time went on; Mr.. Hodgson did not
return to Turin, and Mr.. Mathers paid
several visits to the counts residence,
coming away more in love every time.
Meanwhile. by dint of going about con-
tinually among the citizens, the young
mon was able to send home SO good list
of prospective customers that the partners
determined To establish branch office at
Turin. and offer young Mathers subor-
dinate post in it.
Nothing definite, however. had been
fixed, when one day Tommy finding
Maria Marsoni alone when he called at
tho villa. lost his head completely, and
was making love as well as his imperfect
knowledge of Italian permitted, when
the count, suddenly coming in, caught
him in the act of kissing his daughters
hand.
Maria fled like hare disturbed on her
form, and the count advanced with n
heavy frown ON his aristocratic brow.
More as a matter of form than any
thing else. for he knew his case was hope
less, bIathcrs formally asked the hand
of the signorina i'll marriage, laying the
blame of his irregular declaration on the
strength of his passion and his ignorance
of italian etiquette.
The count heard him to the end, and
with look of contempt.
lit is piece of gross presumption in
you-a mere clerk, nobody-to address
my daughter" said the count at last in
English, with his chin i'll the air.
..Of COURSE said Tommy bitterly,
stung by the count IS look. If were
partner in Hodsson's, though, you would
give me different answer"
..If YOU were q partner in Messrs.
HodSson. Dunfor,1 & Paris" said the
count. with an altered expression, THAT
would make difference of course; but
as do not understand that you have any
prospect Of entering that firm, don't sec
how that affects you.
Tommy sighed. and made his escape rs
soon rs possible. He knew that he might
as well ask for the lord ehanccllorship as
ask for n partnership in the bank.
For two days lle remained in state of
collapse and then he received advices
from London informing him of the dc
cision 10 which the firm had come with
respect to the new branch. a few
months before Mathers would have been
transported with delight at the proposal
which the firm made TO him; but now he
considered that hc was getting barely his
due and besides, he was so cut up with
respect to the beautiful Maria that mere
commercial matters did not possess their
usual interest for him.
Suddenly, as he sat with the open let
ter bearing the we'll known signature be-
fore him. Tommy conceived an idea.
Without moments delay he called
for his bill at the hotel, sent a waiter for
q cab and took the first train northward.
He arrived Mt Victoria early i'll the morn
ing, went to hotel, washed and dressed
hhnself, and, purposely delaying until
the partners should have reached the
office in ST.. Switllfn's lane, he presented
himself before his employers as they were
engaged in discussing the mornings let
tiers.
"Hello SIR" cried Mr.. Hodgson, as he
caught sight of the young man. ..what
are you doing here? Anything wrong?r
Nothing is wrong that know of,
sir, said the young man, coolly.
''Then why are You here without
leaye?" asked the Junior partner. Didn't
You get our letter informing you of our
now arrangements?''
al did, Mr.. Parr. It is In conse-
quence of that letter that 1 am here
This was said with considerable gravity,
and Tommy helped himself to n chair as
he spoke. Il am afraid SIR he contin-
uedr ''that cannot accept the situation
you were good enough to offer me at
Turin.